Global Survey of Early Warning Systems

A global survey of early warning systems was undertaken at the request of the Secretary-General with a view to advancing the development of a global early warning system for all natural hazards. The survey report released on 27 March 2006 concludes that while some warning systems are well advanced, there are numerous gaps and shortcomings, especially in developing countries and in terms of effectively reaching and serving the needs of those at risk. The survey report recommends the development of a globally comprehensive early warning system, rooted in existing early warning systems and capacities. It also recommends a set of specific actions toward building national people-centred early warning systems, filling in the main gaps in global early warning capacities, strengthening the scientific and data foundations for early warning, and developing the institutional foundations for a global early warning system. This conference paper, which complements the report of the Secretary-General on the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (A/61/229), summarises the main outcomes of the survey and outlines the steps that the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and its Platform for the Promotion of Early Warning plan to take to stimulate and where necessary coordinate follow up activities.